The curtains have fallen on veteran politician Charles Njonjo, the last surviving member of Kenya's first Cabinet post independence era.
His demise, announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, January 2, sent the country into mourning as Kenyans remembered Njonjo for laying the foundation for Kenya's political landscape.
The centenarian was born in 1920 when Kenya became a colony. He is the son of the late Josiah Njonjo- a colonial chief and a collaborator of the British rule in Kenya.
Njonjo joined the prestigious King's College Budo in East Africa alongside his brother, James. He later joined Alliance High School in Kikuyu, Kiambu County and then enrolled at Fort Hare University in South Africa- graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in English and South African law.
The Centenarian desired to study law but at the time African students were forbidden from being admitted to the bar. The colonial administration offered Njonjo a scholarship to go to England and study Public Administration at the University College of the South West of England at Exeter.
After completing his degree in 1949, he furthered his studies in order to pursue law. Breaking the norms, Njonjo became the second African barrister to be called to the Bar in January 1951.
Years later, he joined the first-15 member Cabinet during Former President Jomo Kenyatta's administration as the Attorney General. He took over from Eric Newton Griffith-Jones who had been at the helm since May 1, 1955.
Njonjo served as AG from 1963 and 1979-retiring as the AG aged 60. He also served as the advisor to Kenyatta's administration. At the time the two often clashed as the former president often pointed out that he did not wish to be advised by a bachelor.
Njonjo eventually married Margaret Bryson at the All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi on November 18, 1972.
He was later elected unchallenged as the Kikuyu Member of Parliament in 1980. Due to his work ethic, former President Daniel Moi appointed him to Cabinet as the Minister for Home and Constitutional Affairs in June 1980.
Intrigued by all things British, Njonjo was attributed the name " Sir Charles." His signature look involved the unique pin-stripped, three-piece suits which contained his initials "CN" running through in the threading of the white stripes on the suit.
